Profile mixes apples and oranges
by Ryan Ahlgrim, IndianapolisThe results from the 2006 Mennonite Member Profile (Feb. 6) are intriguing. But I question the accuracy (or interpretation) of two of the reported results. The profile reveals that attendance at church more than once a week and at Sunday school are both significantly down since 1972. Conrad Kanagy fears this means a serious drop in church involvement. However, since 1972 there has been an explosion in congregational small groups that meet in members’ homes. How much does this offset the decline in Sunday school or midweek services? Also I find it hard to believe that a much smaller percentage of Mennonites are under age 45 (30 percent) than is true in mainline Protestant denominations (42 percent). I suspect that a common category (membership?) is being interpreted differently, resulting in an invalid apples and oranges comparison.
Associated Issue: A look in the mirror - Feb. 6, 2007
Associated Article: A landscape of change
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